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Track Listings
| Disc: 1 |
|---|
| 1. The Runner |
| 2. Minion's Song |
| 3. Interglacial Spell |
| 4. The Wave |
| 5. The Octopus |
| 6. Planet Of Insects |
| 7. White Horses At Sea // Utopian Daydream |
| 8. Trading Dark Matter On The Stock Exchange |
| Disc: 2 |
| 1. The Sick Rose |
| 2. Interstellar |
| 3. The Emperor |
| 4. Golden Ratio |
| 5. Fall Of The Empire |
| 6. Bloodtest |
| 7. Oscar Night // Embryo |
| 8. Forever And More |
Product Description
Review
Manchester trio Amplifier are without a label for this third album, but have forged ahead with a remarkable independent spirit nonetheless. From first glance, it’s difficult to tell whether this double-disc concept album is the result of a band left to their own devices, or whether they’re a band with nothing left to lose and are giving it their last ounce for you, the listener, to contend with. Scratch the surface even slightly, however, and you will be in no doubt that it’s the latter.
After bursting onto the British rock scene in 2004, drowning in huge grunge-y guitars and enormous choruses, they developed their sound for The Insider in 2006, adding more of everything. Now in 2011 they appear to have timed the peak of their genius self-indulgence with a time where prog isn’t a dirty word any more.
If you wonder why they couldn’t fit 16 songs onto one CD (eight on each, like an octopus), it’s important to note that only one song runs at under five minutes. When there’s nobody reining you in, it’s far easier to express everything you wish to and Amplifier’s main protagonist, Sel Balamir, has really gone to town here.
After drip-feeding their fans with The Wave – a slow, menacing stampede of space-rock – there are two true standout tracks on The Octopus. The aptly-named Interstellar is a 10-minute trip into the unfathomable galaxies of Balamir’s mind. Yes, there are hints of Pink Floyd. The title-track is another one swathed in glorious and tender harmonies that trickle out before gathering together to deliver an absolute monster of a chorus. With lyrical themes that venture toward the apocalyptic and other-worldly, it’s an album that commands respects and time to be afforded to it, but the rewards are plentiful. If two discs seem slightly overwhelming at first, then the other perspective is that there is so much quality to digest here that your value for money is not even in question.
In a year when some of the great prog bands are expected to release new material, Amplifier have set standards high from the beginning. The Octopus is an album for others’ material to be compared to – not only in 2011, but for many more years to come.
--Raziq Rauf
Find more music at the BBC This link will take you off Amazon in a new window
Review
The grand benchmark against which all British Prog albums will be judged --Classic Rock Presents Prog
At present British rock doesn't get much better than this. --Q Magazine
No other record this year will have the audacity to field such lofty ambitions, let alone have the skills to fulfill them --nme
At present British rock doesn't get much better than this. --Q Magazine
No other record this year will have the audacity to field such lofty ambitions, let alone have the skills to fulfill them --nme
At present British rock doesn't get much better than this. --Q Magazine
No other record this year will have the audacity to field such lofty ambitions, let alone have the skills to fulfill them --nme
At present British rock doesn't get much better than this. --Q Magazine
No other record this year will have the audacity to field such lofty ambitions, let alone have the skills to fulfill them --nme
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
22 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
A long time in gestation this self funded release from Britain's most illustrious of trios has finally landed.
What to say. 2 Discs with more than 2 hours of music that will enthrall and draw the listener in with every further rotation. Highlights for me are the emotive White Horses At Sea and the thundering wig-out of Interstellar. Not that quality slips on any of the other tracks, these are merely my faves at this point in time.
I would like hope this release from these criminally undervalued musicians attains the status it deserves. I urge any discerning rock fan to try some Octopus. I promise you won't be disappointed.
What to say. 2 Discs with more than 2 hours of music that will enthrall and draw the listener in with every further rotation. Highlights for me are the emotive White Horses At Sea and the thundering wig-out of Interstellar. Not that quality slips on any of the other tracks, these are merely my faves at this point in time.
I would like hope this release from these criminally undervalued musicians attains the status it deserves. I urge any discerning rock fan to try some Octopus. I promise you won't be disappointed.
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Self-released by this most individual of bands, this album shows a sense of ambition sadly lacking in most modern bands. 16 tracks over 2 discs and 2 hours of music. Quality is staggeringly high, welding huge and imaginative riffs to memorable hooks and genuine lyrical intelligence. A concept album of sorts, the early limited editions from the band's own website included a book which shed some light on proceedings. Resolutely modern yet with some of the sense of space and light/shade shown by classic bands such as Pink Floyd, filtered through riff monsters like Soundgarden, unexpected twists and turns pop up everywhere. There are hints of jazz, sixties pop handclaps, a truly convincing Mr Burns impression at one point along with an excellent collection of memorable tunes. Deserves the sort of audience commanded by Porcupine Tree et al, and I fully expect it to be sitting on top of my best of list come the end of the year. Would suit fans of Tool, PT, Oceansize, most modern prog and anyone who loves the sheer cathartic power of riffs. Simply brilliant.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Well I've been waiting for a long time for an album to have this impact on me after just a couple of spins.
An astounding piece of work - if this isn't the best new prog album of 2011 then I sure want to hear the one to beat it to the crown.
Freed from record label interference Amplifier have spread their wings and have recorded their defining album.
For fans of the rockier side of prog, space rock and good rock music in general - equal parts melody and hard riffing guitars a marvelous concoction of rhythm and sound.
Dont hesitate a moment longer, indulge yourself, prepare for 8 legged enlightenment.....
Note , this edition is a relatively basic gatefold sleeve which reflects in the bargain price (its perfectly acceptable to these ears mind you), for a more luxurious packaging option then head over to the amplifier website.
An astounding piece of work - if this isn't the best new prog album of 2011 then I sure want to hear the one to beat it to the crown.
Freed from record label interference Amplifier have spread their wings and have recorded their defining album.
For fans of the rockier side of prog, space rock and good rock music in general - equal parts melody and hard riffing guitars a marvelous concoction of rhythm and sound.
Dont hesitate a moment longer, indulge yourself, prepare for 8 legged enlightenment.....
Note , this edition is a relatively basic gatefold sleeve which reflects in the bargain price (its perfectly acceptable to these ears mind you), for a more luxurious packaging option then head over to the amplifier website.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Great album
This is a great album, ranging from spacey ambientness to full on rock. The songs are well written, sound great and are thoughroly enjoyable. Read more
Published 2 months ago by JBT
Great listen.
I picked up this album due to the suggestions from amazon... and they were not wrong, if like me you love prog rock then you should definitely get this album and listen through it... Read more
Published 3 months ago by N
One of the finest albums in years
Amplifier is the musical tour de force progressive rock band just now. But it is a shame that they aren't so popular. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Sean Wilson-blake
Amplifier - The Octopus
Amplifier's third studio album The Octopus, from early 2011, is a superb album and a definitive moment in the band's career. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Gentlegiantprog
Rocking New Music......At long last
Finally I've found some new great music. As an avid fan of Tool, I've been waiting with anticipation for too long for something new from them. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Gav
Between rock and prog
I am new to the band and a nice surprise it is. To compare them to The Floyd is a step too far, but it is so full of ideas that apparently anyone can hear his own thing. Read more
Published 10 months ago by MusicMyLife
Anessential album for your record collection
I am over 50 years of age with Jimi Hendrix 's "Band of Gypsies" the very first album i was bought when I was 12 and this album probably shaped my taste in music for the rest of my... Read more
Published 11 months ago by K. jones
Texture for the ears
I had never heard Amplifier before and only purchased this as I had read some good reviews and also thought the cover was fantastic
Upon its arrival I put it on my ipod as... Read more
Upon its arrival I put it on my ipod as... Read more
Published 12 months ago by Mr. Paul Cruickshank
More Amplifier brilliance.
Amplifier are one of those bands who sadly carry the title of deserve so much more, or enormously underrated or, should sell millions. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Mr. M. L. Hawes
Amplifier's 'Magnificent Octopus'
This double album has to be Amplifier's magnum opus - surely they can't beat this...
Amplifier have managed here to produce two hours of music that interests with the first... Read more
Amplifier have managed here to produce two hours of music that interests with the first... Read more
Published 13 months ago by Misterb0z
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